Modular control system and method for water heaters

1. A water heating system having a modular control system, comprising:

a tank;

one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system;

a first controller mounted on the tank, the first controller coupled to all of the one or more heating elements; and

a second controller selectively connectable physically to the first controller and configured to perform at least one function related to the operation of the water heater in addition to or in lieu of a function capable of being performed by the first controller,

wherein the first controller is capable of controlling, in a physical absence of the second controller, operation of all of the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system.

2. The water heating system of claim 1 , wherein the second controller has a communication port detachably coupled to a communication port of the first controller.

3. The water heating system of claim 1 , wherein the second controller has a display device.

4. The water heating system of claim 1 , wherein the second controller has a wireless communication device.

5. The water heating system of claim 4 , wherein the second controller has logic configured to receive, via the wireless communication device, data indicative of a user input for establishing a set point to be used for controlling the heating element.

6. The water heating system of claim 5 , wherein the first controller does not have a wireless communication device.

7. The water heating system of claim 5 , wherein the logic is configured transmit, via the wireless communication device, information pertaining to operation of the water heating system.

8. The water heating system of claim 1 , wherein the first controller has a first housing that covers components of the first controller, and wherein the second controller has a second housing, separate from the first housing, covering components of the second controller.

9. The water heating system of claim 8 , wherein the tank has a compartment, wherein the first controller resides in the compartment, and wherein the second housing has a rim inserted into the compartment and contacting a wall of the tank defining the compartment.

10. The water heating system of claim 9 , wherein the second housing is secured to the tank via frictional forces between the rim and the wall.

11. A water heating system having a modular control system, comprising:

a tank;

one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system;

a first controller mounted on the tank and having a first communication port, the first controller including logic for controlling, in a physical absence of a second controller, all of the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system; and

the second controller selectively connectable to the first controller and configured to perform at least one function related to the operation of the water heater in addition to or in lieu of a function capable of being performed by the first controller, the second controller having a communication port detachably coupled physically to the first communication port.

12. The water heating system of claim 11 , wherein the second controller has a wireless communication device.

13. The water heating system of claim 12 , wherein the second controller has logic configured to receive, via the wireless communication device, data indicative of a user input for establishing a set point to be used for controlling the heating element.

14. The water heating system of claim 13 , wherein the logic is configured to transmit, via the wireless communication device, information pertaining to operation of the water heating system.

15. The water heating system of claim 11 , wherein the first controller has a first housing that covers components of the first controller, and wherein the second controller has a second housing, separate from the first housing, covering components of the second controller.

16. The water heating system of claim 15 , wherein the tank has a compartment, wherein the first controller resides in the compartment, and wherein the second housing has a rim inserted into the compartment and contacting a wall of the tank defining the compartment.

17. The water heating system of claim 16 , wherein the second housing is secured to the tank via frictional forces between the rim and the wall.

18. A method for upgrading the operation of a water heating system comprising a tank, one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system, and a first controller for controlling an operation of the one or more heating elements, the method comprising the steps of:

mounting an upgrade controller on the tank;

interfacing the upgrade controller with the first controller; and

the upgrade controller performing at least one function in addition to or in lieu of a function capable of being performed by the first controller,

wherein the first controller is capable of controlling, in a physical absence of the upgrade controller, operation of all of the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the mounting step is performed after the first controller has activated the heating element at least once.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the interfacing step comprises the step of detachably coupling a communication port of the upgrade controller to a communication port of the first controller.

21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of wirelessly communicating at least one signal via a communication device of the upgrade controller.

22. The method of claim 18 , wherein the tank has a compartment, wherein the first controller resides in the compartment, wherein the upgrade controller has a housing, and wherein the mounting step comprises the step of inserting a rim of the housing into the compartment such that the rim contacts a wall of the tank defining the compartment.